Trump to Meet Gaza Hostage Edan Alexander Thursday \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President Trump and First Lady Melania will meet Thursday with Edan Alexander, the last American hostage held in Gaza. Alexander was freed in May after 584 days in captivity by Hamas following the October 2023 attack. The meeting precedes a planned White House visit by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Quick Looks
- Trump and Melania to meet Edan Alexander Thursday
- Alexander was held hostage by Hamas for 584 days
- He was taken during Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel
- Now 21, Alexander moved to Israel after high school in NJ
- He returned to New Jersey in June after release
- Meeting follows Trump’s earlier session with other hostages
- Takes place ahead of Netanyahu’s White House visit Monday
- Trump pressing for ceasefire, hostage deal between Israel, Hamas
Deep Look
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are set to welcome Edan Alexander—the last remaining American hostage held by Hamas in Gaza—at the White House on Thursday. The highly anticipated meeting will take place in the Oval Office and comes just weeks after Alexander’s return to the United States following his dramatic release from captivity.
This personal and political moment will mark another chapter in Trump’s active engagement with the Middle East hostage crisis and broader efforts to shape a resolution to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the meeting, noting that the President and First Lady “have met with many released hostages from Gaza, and they greatly look forward to meeting Edan Alexander and his family in the Oval Office tomorrow.”
Alexander’s release in May 2025 marked the end of a harrowing 584-day ordeal in Hamas captivity. His story has gripped both American and Israeli audiences, capturing the human toll of the protracted conflict that erupted after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Alexander made a life-changing decision in 2022 to move to Israel shortly after graduating high school. Driven by a strong sense of identity and connection to his Jewish heritage, he joined the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and served as a combat soldier. On October 7, 2023, while stationed at his military post, Alexander was captured by Hamas militants who stormed the base as part of a large-scale assault that ultimately triggered the Israel-Hamas war.
During the attack, 251 hostages were taken, including Alexander. He was just 19 years old when he was forcibly dragged into Gaza, beginning what would become nearly two years of captivity. His release, on May 12, 2025, came as part of ongoing international mediation efforts. Since returning to Israel, and now the United States, Alexander has undergone physical recovery and psychological counseling, while spending time reconnecting with family and supporters.
His return to New Jersey in June was met with widespread celebration, both for the long-awaited homecoming and for what his freedom symbolizes: resilience, diplomacy, and hope amid one of the most intractable conflicts in recent memory.
Thursday’s White House meeting will be Trump’s second with former hostages in recent months. In March, the President welcomed a group of eight hostages released from Gaza, including Keith and Aviva Siegel, Doron Steinbrecher, and Noa Argamani, whose captivity had also become a prominent media narrative. Trump used that meeting to highlight his administration’s support for American citizens abroad and to apply diplomatic pressure on both Hamas and the Israeli government to pursue a broader ceasefire and hostage deal.
The upcoming meeting with Alexander takes on added political weight due to its timing. Just four days later, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to arrive at the White House for high-stakes discussions. Trump has been pushing the Israeli leader to agree to a ceasefire and a structured hostage exchange, hoping to end the devastating war in Gaza that has resulted in thousands of casualties, destroyed infrastructure, and a deepening humanitarian crisis.
By spotlighting Alexander’s return, Trump aims to reinforce his administration’s dual commitment: advocating for the safe return of all hostages while urging a durable diplomatic resolution to the Israel-Hamas conflict. His critics may view the timing of the meeting as political theater, but supporters see it as part of a broader strategy to humanize the conflict and highlight the real lives affected by international policy decisions.
Alexander’s case also symbolizes the challenges facing dual citizens and diaspora communities during foreign conflicts. While he was serving in the Israeli military, his American citizenship became a focal point for U.S. lawmakers, with many urging the Biden and Trump administrations to prioritize his release. His captivity reignited debate over how the U.S. should handle the cases of Americans voluntarily involved in foreign military service who are then caught in international crises.
For Trump, the meeting serves several strategic purposes. It underscores his personal engagement with hostage diplomacy, a theme he emphasized during his first term and has continued to pursue. It also allows him to portray leadership in foreign affairs, projecting strength and compassion as he seeks to maintain his influence in U.S. policy circles ahead of the 2026 elections.
Yet beyond politics, the reunion between the President and Alexander is expected to be deeply emotional. Alexander’s family, who spent nearly two years campaigning for his release and keeping his name in public discourse, are likely to join him for the Oval Office ceremony. The encounter will serve as a testament to their unwavering efforts and a visible reminder of what can be achieved through persistence, diplomacy, and international coordination.
As Israel prepares for Netanyahu’s Washington visit, and as international mediators work to reignite stalled negotiations, the symbolic power of this meeting cannot be overstated. For families of other hostages still believed to be in captivity, Alexander’s story is a source of inspiration—but also a call to action. Trump is expected to use the occasion to reiterate his demand for a comprehensive deal that ends the fighting and secures the release of all hostages on both sides.
The world will be watching on Thursday—not just for the images of the handshake or the emotional embrace, but for signs that the meeting could lead to renewed energy in solving a crisis that has defied resolution for over a year.
For Edan Alexander, the visit is not just a return to his homeland’s capital—it is a return to the center of public life, a step toward healing, and a symbol of survival in the face of extraordinary adversity.
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